Ice cleat unit for engagement on shoes



4, .1949. L. WALKER ICE CLEAT UNIT .FOR ENGQTGEMENT 0N SHOES Filed Ma s, 1948 k E. L. WALKER INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1949 ICE OLEAT UNIT FOR ENGAGEMENT X ON SHOES Esper L'LWalker, Decatur, Tex. Application May 3, 1948, Serial No. 24,842

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to ice cleats, such as those worn on shoes when walking on ice or ice covered pavement, and has for its primary object the provision of a cleat unit which is simple and economical in its construction, yet one which is eifective for the purpose intended.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an ice cleat assembly or unit to be worn on a shoe, which unit may be entirely of strap material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice cleat unit of the referred to class which may be easily attached or detached, yet one which will remain in place while being worn.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an ice cleat assembly or unit which will not damage the shoe upon which it is worn.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ice cleat unit embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing modifications of construction therein.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ice cleat unit illustrated in Figure 1 and showing the same attached to the heel of a shoe, the latter being illustrated by means of dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 includes a primary strap l of spring material having an integral upturned and inwardly directed hook 2 at its forward end, and a vertical support 3 formed by bending a continuation of the primary strap upwardly at the rear end of the latter. The upper end of the vertical support 3 is rearwardly curved to form a looped holder 4 at its upper end. Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the vertical support 3, and positioned therearound, there is a horizontal and forwardly directed clevis spring 5 of strap material for frictionally engaging the heel portion 6 of a shoe. The central area of the clevis 5 is secured to the vertical support 3 by spot welding the said parts together, or by other suitable means.

Lateral cross members I, also of strap material, are similarly secured across the primary strap l and have downwardly bent cleats 8 formed at their outer ends. As shown in Figure 1, the cleats 8 are sharp along their depending edges as a convenience and economy of manufacture.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 is similar to the one described, but differs in that the clevis 5 is positioned forwardly of the vertical support 3 and is provided with a liner 9 of resilient material such as a strip of cork or the like which may be bonded in place with a suitable cement. Another difference between the last referred to form of the invention and the one first referred to is the provision of pointed cleats I0 instead of the knife edge cleats 8 previously described.

In operation, either of the described cleat units are used in pairs, and are attached to each of the wearers shoes. Each unit is readily engaged on the shoe heel H by placing the hook 2 against the forward edge of the said heel and then pulling upwardly on the holder 4 so as to cause the cleat unit to assume the position relative to the shoe as illustrated in Figure 3. The unit may be readily removed by pulling downwardly on the handle 4.

The described forms of the invention are not restrictive, but may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ice cleat unit for engagement on a shoe comprising a primary strap having a hook at one end thereof for engaging the forward edge of the shoe heel, transverse straps secured to the said primary strap, depending cleats at the ends of the said transverse straps, a vertical support at the end of the said primary strap opposite the said hook, and a spring clevis secured to the said vertical support for engaging the heel portion of a shoe.

2. An ice cleat unit for engagement on :a shoe comprising a primary strap having a hook at one end thereof for engaging the forward edge of the shoe heel, a vertical support at the end of the said primary strap opposite the said hook, a rearwardly projecting holder at the upper end of the said vertical support, the said primary strap, hook, vertical support, and holder, all being integral and of spring material, transverse straps secured to the said primary strap, depending cleats at the outer ends of the said transverse straps, and a spring clevis secured to the said vertical support and adapted to engage the heel portion of the shoe.

3. An ice cleat unit for engagement on a shoe comprising a primary strap having a hook at one end thereof, the said hook being adapted to engage the forward edge of the shoe heel, transverse straps secured to the said primary strap, depending cleats at the ends of the said transverse straps, a vertical support at the end of the said primary strap opposite the said hook, a clevis of strap spring material secured to the said vertical support for engaging the heel portion of the shoe, and a soft material secured to the inner face of the said clevis.

4. An ice cleat unit for engagement on a shoe comprising a primary strap having a hook at one end thereof for engaging the forward edge. of a shoe heel, a vertical support at the end of the said primary strap opposite the said hook, a rearwardly projecting holder at the upper end of the said vertical support, the said primary strap,

hook, vertical support, and holder, all being in-' tegral and of spring material, transverse straps.

secured to the said primary strap, depending REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 390,594 Harker Oct. 2, 1888 767,183 Swenson Aug. 9, 1904 

